There’s nothing quite like visiting an unfamiliar country and locale, taking in the sights and sounds and feeling like you’re breaking new ground for yourself. It’s the kind of experience you won’t really find anywhere else, which is why so many people are interested in hoisting up their backpacks and doing some hiking on the other side of the world.

However, the prospect of travelling to a place you’ve never been in can be stressful and intimidating, especially if it’s your first time going abroad. While there is no guarantee that things will go smoothly (something always comes up), you can minimise risk and improve your odds of a relaxing, unforgettable trip with the tips below.

1. Using an online planner

There’s no denying that it isn’t easy for new travellers to feel confident about planning a trip abroad. Such is why there are online planners that can help you plan things out based on preferences, dates, and the weather. It’s never a bad idea to prepare as much as you can before a big trip, so feel free to utilise the services of top-quality planners such as routeperfect.com.

While planning a trip will take much more than an online planner, it’s best to get an idea of how you want your travels to go, and online planners make it much easier for you to feel things out. Whether you want to go off the beaten path or focus on a safer trip based on hotspots, online planners can help you visualise your trip abroad.

1. Familiarise yourself with your planned destination

It’s not a good idea to head to an unfamiliar locale without any idea how the locals do things. For example, do most places accept international cards, or are you required to use local currency for most places? Are there strict rules regarding specific types of behaviour? Is it the kind of place where haggling is the norm?

Most importantly, do tourists have to stay vigilant due to the potential for scams—or worse? The more you familiarise yourself with a location, the easier it will be to minimise risk.

1. Take good care of your travel documents

Unfortunately, there are situations where travellers accidentally lose important documents, which can lead to significant issues if you aren’t careful. Best-practice for travel documents include making copies (both hard and digital) and double-checking your documents before, during, and after the trip.

1. Ensure you have local currency with you

Even if you know that international cards are expected, there are far too many advantages for those that bring local currency when heading abroad. You never know when you might need it, and most of the amenities can only be purchased with local currency. Even if research tells you that most places accept cards, it’s far better to have local currency ready.

Aside from the best-practice tips above, you’ll want to ensure that you pack light, as it can be challenging to keep track of things if you bring too much with you. The idea is to keep stress levels to a minimum, allowing you to focus on your trip. While it might be intimidating for first-time travellers, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.